Nearly 30 people from Medartis and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce celebrated the orthopedic company’s arrival in Warsaw. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Two snapshots of success two days apart on two different continents.

That sums up what might be a memorable week for one of Warsaw’s newest orthopedic companies, Medartis Inc.

The Swiss-based orthopedic firm recently completed the acquisition of Nextremity Solutions Inc., which had just recently moved into its new headquarters in the Warsaw Technology Park along US 30.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce celebrated Medartis’ decision to base its U.S. headquarters in Warsaw as it builds a sales network across the United States.

Rod Mayer

Two days later, on Thursday, Oct. 6, company execs in Basel, Switzerland, will welcome Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb for a visit that’s part of the state’s economic development tour in parts of Europe.

In addition to Medartis, the Indiana delegation is expected to meet with representatives of Roche, the parent company of Roche Diagnostics North America headquartered in Indianapolis. The meetings, according to the governor’s office, are intended to spur continued growth, research and development in Indiana’s pharmaceutical and orthopedic industry.

Those kinds of opportunities are exactly what Medartis was hoping to see when it considered whether to be part of the acclaimed worldwide hub of orthopedics, which is responsible for manufacturing one-third of the world’s orthopedic devices, including nearly two-thirds of all artificial hips and knees, according to a recent report.

“It’s a great opportunity for Gov. Holcomb, the secretary of commerce and others to get to know the leadership team in Basel,” said Rod Mayer shortly after Tuesday’s ribbon cutting.

Mayer had been the CEO with Nextremity Solutions and now serves as president of Medartis USA.

He sounded optimistic that something will result from discussion in Basel.

“We’re really excited about this opportunity to hear more of how we might partner with the state on some worldwide initiatives as well as our initiatives here in the state of Indiana.”

Medartis was founded 25 years ago and manufactures implants for cranio-maxillofacial (head, face, jaw) as well as extremities.

In August, the company reported total net sales in the first half of 2022 rose 20%.

Nextremity began with a focus on foot and ankle solutions, but evolved into a musculoskeletal product development and commercialization.

The company is currently hiring. The workforce in Warsaw could grow by 20 percent in the next year, Mayer said.

“Here we are now five into the merger and it’s amazing that our state representatives are there in Switzerland this week to really begin to understand that we have a global presence and at the same time, our headquarters for the U.S. is right here in the orthopedic capital of the world.”